The Restaurant Recommendation Thread

BailMeOut · 04-09-2017 01:12PM

Augeo wrote: »

I do all I can to avoid all ballymaloe products etc though

The beginnings of the excellent food culture in Cork is largely down to Ballymaloe and I do not think we'd be where we are without them.

the beer revolu · 04-09-2017 01:25PM

TrustedApple wrote: »

the beer revolu who else will be moaning ha.

My family are in the food industry.

It's normal for others in it to give things to them for free or look after them more. It's trying to impress the compensation. Where my family's business is based anywhere I go I get free food of a starter or cake. I will know the owners and manager by name and they will know me. It's just that you support each other and also help out when needed.

I did say that it was understandable.
I also admitted that it was begrudgery on my part.

If anyone's getting free stuff, it should be me!

TrustedApple · 04-09-2017 01:33PM

There just seems to be a lot of begrudgery from yourself lately when it comes to anything if it's not your view your not happy with people and go off on one.

People can give there own views on anything and chat about stuff on boards it should not be the land of begrudgery thanks to some users.

You would get free food if you owned something in food industry

Water John · 04-09-2017 01:38PM

I own cows. Do I qualify???

Harika · 04-09-2017 01:41PM

Water John wrote: »

I own cows. Do I qualify???

Can they be eaten?

Ludo · 04-09-2017 01:54PM

Augeo wrote: »

After a cook and author at Ballymaloe was charged and sentanced with a particular crime I'd be very slow to line their pockets.

Figured that would be your answer. Maybe the whole family and business should be shut down if one member commits a crime? Send em all to jail sure.

04-09-2017 02:03PM

Ludo wrote: »

Figured that would be your answer. Maybe the whole family and business should be shut down if one member commits a crime? Send em all to jail sure.

Sure why ask so?
I never said they should be shut down, I said I do all I can to avoid all ballymaloe products etc though & I'd be very slow to line their pockets

the beer revolu · 04-09-2017 03:18PM

TrustedApple wrote: »

There just seems to be a lot of begrudgery from yourself lately when it comes to anything if it's not your view your not happy with people and go off on one.

People can give there own views on anything and chat about stuff on boards it should not be the land of begrudgery thanks to some users.

You would get free food if you owned something in food industry

I think you totally misread my tone.
Take a deep breath and calm down.
You're going off on one again.

Ludo · 04-09-2017 07:53PM

Augeo wrote: »

Sure why ask so?
I never said they should be shut down, I said I do all I can to avoid all ballymaloe products etc though & I'd be very slow to line their pockets

I asked to see what the reason was because I only suspected I knew the reason. Obvious really.

the beer revolu · 04-09-2017 10:03PM

BailMeOut wrote: »

The beginnings of the excellent food culture in Cork is largely down to Ballymaloe and I do not think we'd be where we are without them.

I would argue that modern Irish food, not just Cork food owes a huge amount to the Allen wives (Myrtle and Drina). It all seems a bit old fashioned now but they are still quite a force.

Nonoperational · 04-09-2017 10:05PM

Agreed.

04-09-2017 10:52PM

Ludo wrote: »

I asked to see what the reason was because I only suspected I knew the reason. Obvious really.

Well if you needed clarity perhaps you shouldn't launch into the close the business speel etc

Personally, I won't knowingly support any business/brand where one of the team is convicted of child pornography offences.

sporina · 05-09-2017 07:44AM

thinking of La Dolce Vita for our work xmas night out - i was only there once and there was a bit of a draught at our table but then they moved us to one that was fine - but in general how do people like this place?

Mumha · 05-09-2017 09:10AM

Augeo wrote: »

Well if you needed clarity perhaps you shouldn't launch into the close the business speel etc

Personally, I won't knowingly support any business/brand where one of the team is convicted of child pornography offences.

In fairness, we used to go there for the Sunday Buffet lunch reasonably regularly (mmm the cheese croquettes...), but haven't gone there since. The entire circumstances, including the odd judgement of the court case, did put me off. I still think of those cheese croquettes though ....

Malari · 05-09-2017 09:17AM

sporina wrote: »

thinking of La Dolce Vita for our work xmas night out - i was only there once and there was a bit of a draught at our table but then they moved us to one that was fine - but in general how do people like this place?

I think it's great - the food really is tasty, authentic Italian and we've always found the service good. It's probably a good place to go to keep the people who are not "adventurous" eaters happy - pastas, pizzas - but there's plenty for the more keen foodie too. Their fish specials are fab.

I honestly haven't been in the place when there's been a party larger than, say 6 people in there. Would they put larger parties upstairs maybe?

hufpc8w3adnk65 · 05-09-2017 09:24AM

Right...Enough is enough. People calling out other posters when they are not in the conversation and people speculating about criminal convictions. Keep it up and cards and bans will be coming. Get back on topic

Water John · 05-09-2017 09:37AM

Mac will hand out his own justice and they'll be, no court of appeal.

We all knew it was a leading question and should have been left unanswered.

Ludo · 05-09-2017 09:52AM

Malari wrote: »

Their fish specials are fab.

hmm...went there once and the wife had the fish special (tuna that day). Said it was the worst tuna she ever had. WAY over done. She has refused to go back as a result. Sounds like that may have been an off day though which everyone can have. I can't even remember what I had that day which, now that I think of it, doesn't say much about the place either as I usually have a good memory for that kind of thing.
Must get back there to give them another go as most people seem to recommend it.

Malari · 05-09-2017 10:01AM

Ludo wrote: »

hmm...went there once and the wife had the fish special (tuna that day). Said it was the worst tuna she ever had. WAY over done. She has refused to go back as a result. Sounds like that may have been an off day though which everyone can have. I can't even remember what I had that day which, now that I think of it, doesn't say much about the place either as I usually have a good memory for that kind of thing.
Must get back there to give them another go as most people seem to recommend it.

Oh that's unfortunate! Hopefully it was an off-day, as I nearly always get fish when I go and no complaints thusly far.

Tuna is not something I generally go for though - I find it's only good for a bite or two before it gets too samey. I think the mixed grilled fish had some on it though, but I can't recall if it was overcooked.

limnam · 06-09-2017 07:13AM

Malari wrote: »

I think it's great - the food really is tasty, authentic Italian and we've always found the service good. It's probably a good place to go to keep the people who are not "adventurous" eaters happy - pastas, pizzas - but there's plenty for the more keen foodie too. Their fish specials are fab.

I honestly haven't been in the place when there's been a party larger than, say 6 people in there. Would they put larger parties upstairs maybe?

Yep, partner is Italian and fairly fussy but she's happy with dolce.

I'm a big fan of San Marco in Middleton. Probably too far out for a xmas party but definitely worth looking at another time

pwurple · 06-09-2017 11:29AM

Thumbs up again for Market Lane. Brought a work group out there recently, and they are so smooth in there with service, it really makes it easy. Consistently good quality food, efficient service.... things that make sense in a group, like marking who ordered what, instead of standing at the head of the table and roaring "who ordered the cod". Nice range of fish, meat, veggie and salads to suit most appetites and preferences, without it being a huge unreadable menu.

I had their tandoori chicken salad with mint raita the other night, and a crème brulee. Salad was excellent. Well balanced and dressed. Crème brulee was an error in ordering by me. I generally don't like people mucking about with the simplicity of a crème brulee, and this one was marked as an Earl Grey flavoured one. So yeah, I didn't like the earl grey in it.

We ordered some nuts and olives and dips at the start as well while we were waiting for a few people and reading the menu. Nice to have that option at the start... especially for groups.

BailMeOut · 06-09-2017 12:06PM

pwurple wrote: »

Thumbs up again for Market Lane. Brought a work group out there recently, and they are so smooth in there with service, it really makes it easy. Consistently good quality food, efficient service.... things that make sense in a group, like marking who ordered what, instead of standing at the head of the table and roaring "who ordered the cod". Nice range of fish, meat, veggie and salads to suit most appetites and preferences, without it being a huge unreadable menu.

I had their tandoori chicken salad with mint raita the other night, and a crème brulee. Salad was excellent. Well balanced and dressed. Crème brulee was an error in ordering by me. I generally don't like people mucking about with the simplicity of a crème brulee, and this one was marked as an Earl Grey flavoured one. So yeah, I didn't like the earl grey in it.

We ordered some nuts and olives and dips at the start as well while we were waiting for a few people and reading the menu. Nice to have that option at the start... especially for groups.

anyone planning on opening a restaurant should visit Market lane and take notes! The food is always good, nothing amazing but it such a well run business that you just want to return to it and they are excellent dealing with families and kids. Love this place! (and their local beer is quite nice too).

Malari · 06-09-2017 12:41PM

What I noticed as well about Market Lane that I really like (apart from the above-mentioned) is that when you walk in there is virtually always someone standing at that till to greet you and seat you if it's a manager, or smile and let you know that someone will be with you shortly, if it's waiting staff doing a bill.

I hate that feeling when you walk in a restaurant and are ignored by busy waiting staff, and have to wait for a manager to notice you.

pq0n1ct4ve8zf5 · 06-09-2017 12:53PM

Malari wrote: »

What I noticed as well about Market Lane that I really like (apart from the above-mentioned) is that when you walk in there is virtually always someone standing at that till to greet you and seat you if it's a manager, or smile and let you know that someone will be with you shortly, if it's waiting staff doing a bill.

I hate that feeling when you walk in a restaurant and are ignored by busy waiting staff, and have to wait for a manager to notice you.

Yeah I was in Barry's in Douglas recently and you nearly had to rugby tackle staff to get their attention, and not just when we arrived, the whole time. It was pretty busy and imo they were short handed but Jesus. I know it's annoying when someone collars you as you walk past because they're too impatient to wait thirty seconds for their own waitress but I honestly think I'd still be sitting there waiting to pay if I hadn't. Didn't seem like they had a proper system in place to deal with the fact that some people were coming in for pints and the match, some people for food, and keeping track of who the **** was who. Staff were mostly very young and could have done with more training, when the food (which was nice) arrived I asked for another round of drinks and the young fella was very visibly annoyed :pac:

Malari · 06-09-2017 01:13PM

Leonel Putrid Cheddar wrote: »

Yeah I was in Barry's in Douglas recently and you nearly had to rugby tackle staff to get their attention, and not just when we arrived, the whole time. It was pretty busy and imo they were short handed but Jesus. I know it's annoying when someone collars you as you walk past because they're too impatient to wait thirty seconds for their own waitress but I honestly think I'd still be sitting there waiting to pay if I hadn't. Didn't seem like they had a proper system in place to deal with the fact that some people were coming in for pints and the match, some people for food, and keeping track of who the **** was who. Staff were mostly very young and could have done with more training, when the food (which was nice) arrived I asked for another round of drinks and the young fella was very visibly annoyed :pac:

It's the worst! Honestly, even when it's quiet in there, you nearly have to throw something at the staff to get them to notice you - I can see them averting their gaze sometimes! No proper staff training - a world apart from O'Sullivan's in Douglas.

pq0n1ct4ve8zf5 · 06-09-2017 01:57PM

Yeah I was giving them the benefit of the doubt because of the busyness but feck that so.

sporina · 06-09-2017 04:54PM

pwurple wrote: »

Thumbs up again for Market Lane. Brought a work group out there recently, and they are so smooth in there with service, it really makes it easy. Consistently good quality food, efficient service.... things that make sense in a group, like marking who ordered what, instead of standing at the head of the table and roaring "who ordered the cod". Nice range of fish, meat, veggie and salads to suit most appetites and preferences, without it being a huge unreadable menu.

I had their tandoori chicken salad with mint raita the other night, and a crème brulee. Salad was excellent. Well balanced and dressed. Crème brulee was an error in ordering by me. I generally don't like people mucking about with the simplicity of a crème brulee, and this one was marked as an Earl Grey flavoured one. So yeah, I didn't like the earl grey in it.

We ordered some nuts and olives and dips at the start as well while we were waiting for a few people and reading the menu. Nice to have that option at the start... especially for groups.

yeah their customer service is great but the one thing i don't like about ML is the noise - its very echoy - was there with a work gang once and we could not hear ourselves think.. a bit like Issacs on McCurtain Street

Outkast_IRE · 07-09-2017 08:14AM

sporina wrote: »

yeah their customer service is great but the one thing i don't like about ML is the noise - its very echoy - was there with a work gang once and we could not hear ourselves think.. a bit like Issacs on McCurtain Street

The worst place i have eaten with regards to acoustics is Coq-Bull . Whatever interior designer worked on that place decided that the metal panels on the ceiling were a good idea should be shot.

Far too many restaurants or their interior designers give no consideration to acoustics.

Harika · 07-09-2017 08:36AM

I really liked the interior at Cask, when I went there recently. Nice and fancy cocktails and great tapas, we sat there as group and ordered rounds of tapas and cocktails what worked well. At some point some dry spell, but that was caused by a shift change. They apologised and the spice continued flowing. Atmosphere was nice there too, maybe a bit pricey but overall justified.

Also got some takeaway at Chopped recently – Best salads in town and I can really see them expand further into Cork, especially Blackpool with the offices there.

Please!

what the hell! · 07-09-2017 09:08AM

Harika wrote: »

Also got some takeaway at Chopped recently – Best salads in town and I can really see them expand further into Cork, especially Blackpool with the offices there. Please!

Try Loving Salads new place on Washington Street. I think it's much tastier than Chopped. Much better selection imo and the salad isn't chopped into mush. But +1 on a Chopped for Blackpool ha! Or Loving Salads open a branch- even better!

The Restaurant Recommendation Thread

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